Fanaticism, tracked by the light to its last den, felt Spain escaping from it.

The excess of a tyranny long undergone, prepared ardent minds for the excess of liberty.
In Italy, and even at Rome, the sombre Catholicism of the middle age was lighted up by the reflections of time.

It played even with the dangerous arms which philosophy was about to turn against it.

It seemed to consider itself as a weakened institution, which ought to have its long duration pardoned in consequence of its complaisance towards princes and the age.

Benedict XIV.